Triumph TR7
‘I resolved to go through the TR7’S entire cooling system bit by bit’
Next on the Triumph tick list was to find a home for the 2000 over winter. Previously I have driven it in the cold months, but not this year – I’ve got the Jensen for that now it has received the full Rustbuster treatment. I tapped up my mate Mark and the family heirloom is now berthed in a dry, secure barn until March. I used the excellent ‘How to Lay Up A Classic’ feature from the December issue as my guide… very useful mag, that
Practical Classics.
Cool runnings
My TR7 has been quiet since the end of summer when it boiled over on the way into work. I had been running with the expansion tank only loosely capped for months as the slant--four had been on the edge of overheating for ages and was expert in getting rid of its water. I resolved to go the through the cooling system bit by bit. I started at the beginning by having the radiator recored.
Testing it by hand, at running temperature, had revealed cold spots, so I was convinced there was silt involved. Boston Motorcool did
the job of grafting in a new core – refitment is the next task followed by a test. If it still pops its cork I’ll fit a new water pump. I’ll keep you posted.
Next I undid the jubilee clipped, patchwork, ‘fix’ I had lashed up on the road in summer to cover the ten inch rupture in the stainless steel exhaust. It has only been on the car for a few years, but a badly welded seam forward of the main box had given up after only 1500 miles.
Crap workmanship on an off-the-shelf aftermarket item. Sound familiar? Cleaned and properly rewelded with a TIG welder, it should last longer this time. Still, is it any wonder people are giving up on unreliable classics, when the new parts we try to fix them with are basically made of cheese.
These things are sent to try us, but it doesn’t stop us from indulging. The next upgrade I want to bestow upon the TR is a new front suspension. The current set up feels like it’s not made of cheese but wood, so it’s time for new springs and dampers... I would be interested to know what you guys are running. I want something which is supple and comfortable, but keeps the car’s dynamism intact. Not too much to ask, eh?
It’s about time I got it back on the road. I thoroughly enjoyed blatting the wedge around Britain in summer. The TR7 is maturing as a design and with a five speed box, huge boot and supple ride, it’s a practical and comfortable grand tourer. With a Webasto, this car is also a soft top with all the benefits of the coupé (lighter, nimbler, prettier).
In other news…
In other news, I’ve had the Toyota Avensis on the ramp to fit a new exhaust and front wishbone. It’s a well put together car and everything was intuitive, so the Haynes manual was hardly required. John Simpson worked with me and, as usual, managed to draw blood. It’s almost as if he doesn’t feel like he has done a proper day’s graft unless there’s claret on the floor.
John and I have also been chasing the misfire on my ex-vauxhall management Omega V6. There’s a jungle of vacuum hoses under the bonnet and a hissing sound tells me one of them hasn’t found a home. I’m really looking forward to having it as a daily, but need it running properly first. Anyone out there familiar with these underrated beasts?